Class of 2026
Haley Zimmerman, MD
“I chose to pursue rheumatology training at Rush because of the people – both the faculty and staff I would be working with and the patient population I would serve. Having been a resident at Rush, I saw firsthand that the members of the rheumatology department cared about their trainees and strived to provide them with the best education possible. I experienced the breadth of didactics between board review, case conference, journal club, radiology conference, and ultrasound practice. Becoming the best clinical rheumatologist I can be is the most important aspect of fellowship for me and I knew I could become that here while learning in a nurturing and supportive environment. Additionally, treating the people of the west side of Chicago at two very different hospital systems means working with a diverse group of patients with varying presentations and disease severities. This will enhance my knowledge and ability to practice in the future, no matter where my career as a rheumatologist takes me."
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
Residency: RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Class of 2026
Elizabeth Nettleton, DO
"I am so happy to continue my medical training at RUSH Rheumatology! I chose this program because of the warm welcome I received on my interview day, and now that I have started fellowship, I can confirm how kind and approachable the attendings, fellows and support staff in this department are. Additionally, I feel confident that I will get an excellent education here, particularly because of the two hospitals at which we rotate. At RUSH University Medical Center, fellows have the opportunity to see complex patients on the inpatient consult service as it is a tertiary referral center. In contrast, Cook County Hospital caters to a largely underserved patient population who often have late-stage manifestations of rheumatologic diseases. This in combination with a robust didactic schedule, fellow continuity clinic and research opportunities provides a well-rounded program that has all the ingredients to produce great rheumatologists. Additionally, Chicago is a fantastic city with amazing food, music, sports teams and paths along Lake Michigan which makes it a great location to spend your time in fellowship! I am very excited for the next two years at RUSH Rheumatology and can't wait to continue growing as a physician here.”
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Chicago, IL
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI
Class of 2027
Casey Aman, MD
"I am so excited to pursue my Rheumatology training at Rush due to the very welcoming and collaborative environment among the fellows, faculty, and staff. There is a focus on learning that is evident by the didactic schedule, department conferences, journal clubs, and collaboration with other subspecialists as well as opportunity to work with medical students and residents that make the rheumatology clinics and consult service an exceptional learning experience. I was very interested in the opportunity to learn at both Rush University Medical Center and Stroger Cook County Hospital which provides great patient care experiences while in fellowship training. I am very happy to continue my medical training in Chicago which provides endless enjoyment outside of fellowship. I know with training at Rush I will be well prepared to excel in my career as a rheumatologist."
Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science; North Chicago, IL
Residency: Loyola Medical Center; Maywood, IL
Class of 2027
Michael Magnuson
"When deciding where to pursue fellowship, Rush stood out to me for several compelling reasons. From the start, I was impressed by the exceptional faculty—not only for their depth and breadth of knowledge, but also for their clear dedication to teaching and supporting fellows. The opportunity to train at both Rush and Cook County offers an incredibly rich and diverse clinical experience, with exposure to a wide range of pathology and patient populations across various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Attending a lecture at Rush confirmed what I had heard about their didactic excellence—the teaching is dynamic, thoughtful, and highly relevant to clinical practice. Coupled with a strong foundation in research, access to a wide array of specialty clinics, and a culture of continuous improvement, it's clear that Rush prepares its fellows to become well-rounded, expert rheumatologists, ready to lead in any area they choose.
What has stood out just as much as the academic strengths is the culture of the program. Every person I’ve met—from faculty to fellows—has been approachable, supportive, and genuinely enthusiastic about teaching and learning. It fosters a collaborative and collegial environment that makes coming to work each day enjoyable and inspiring.
Since joining the program, all of my initial impressions have been validated. I feel incredibly grateful to be training at an institution where I am constantly challenged, supported, and excited to grow as a rheumatologist."